This past weekend, the Grand Canyon suffered a deadly flash flooding, resulting in at least two people dead and more than a dozen unaccounted. Flooding of the canyon floor began the afternoon of Aug. 29, when heavy rain fell on Bright Angel Canyon (home to Bright Angel Trail, the most popular trail into the canyon) and Phantom Ranch (the only lodging under the rim of the Grand Canyon, reachable only on foot, by mule or by rafting the Colorado River).

As of Aug. 29, at least 62 people were evacuated, some rescued by helicopter when the waters came. The flood also widened the creek bed, forming a new river rapid, as reported by The Associated Press.

The first victim of the flood was identified Aug. 30 as 53-year-old John Giusti from Texas, who was on his first hiking trip through the canyon with two friends when he went missing. That same day, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the rest of the day, alerting visitors to potential flash floods caused by massive rainfall. The organization raised the risk of flooding from a Level 3 to a Level 4 threat, meaning many flash floods are probable.

The second victim was later identified as 42-year-old Brent Rosenkranz, a martial arts studio owner and friend of Giusti.

Flooding also impacted a water pipeline serving tourists, leaving the area with limited water resources and which, according to park officials, will greatly limit visitor activity at the park ahead of Labor Day weekend.

As of late Aug. 31, search and rescue efforts were temporarily paused for the other unaccounted person due to weather. Timothy Allen Smith, aged 53, was traveling with Giusti and Rosenkranz when flash floods hit, and he remains missing.

During an Aug. 31 news conference, Incident Commander Dave Black said, as of the moment, there’s no reason to believe there’s anybody missing besides Smith.

According to the National Park Service, “Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch are closed until further notice. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River are also closed until further notice. There is currently no estimated reopening date for these areas and other inner canyon closures may be necessary.”

The Colorado River is also currently closed to river traffic until further notice due to debris and metal structures entering the river.

Trails now open include South Kaibab Trail from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Black Bridge, Tonto Trail from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens, Plateau Point Trail from Tonto Trail junction to Plateau Point, Bright Angel Trail from Bright Angel Trailhead to River Resthouse, and The River Trail east of River Resthouse to the South Kaibab Trail junction.

See the most recent updates on openings/closures here.

What exactly caused the flash flood? The event was most likely the result of various climate factors, including warming temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, drought and wildfire scarring, all of which can supercharge a storm. Add the Grand Canyon’s characteristic steep and rocky formations and, when water falls, it creates a funnel, transforming a simple downpour into a brutal wall of water.

It’s not the only recent flash flood to have occurred globally. A glacier collapse Aug. 26 in Lāṅṭāṇ National Park, Nepal, created a massive debris flow and flooding, which traveled nearly 62 miles and destroyed countless buildings, killing at least 1,050 people across communities in Northern Nepal.

The flood was triggered by a large mass of ice and rock collapsing in the Himalayas. At least 65,000 people have been affected. According to CBS News, about 85 Americans are still listed as missing. One U.S. national originally missing after the flood was finally contacted, but more than 4,600 people are still missing.

You can help victims of the Nepal flash floods by donating to organizations like All Hands & Hearts, Global Giving, Humanity & Inclusion, World Central Kitchen, and Save the Children.

If you have any additional organization recommendations to aid Nepal, email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.